College of Sciences and Health Professions

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Physics (B.S., B.A.)At-a-Glance

Minimum hours required for B.A. major: 76

Minimum hours required for B.S. major: 68

Minimum hours required for minor: 18

Advising: Call Dr. Kaufman 216-687-2436 or Dr. Walker 216-687-2424

A major or minor in physics will help you prepare for a wide range of careers in product development, research, teaching, and many other fields where you combine your knowledge of physics with other disciplines. The Physics Department offers you a choice of three undergraduate programs to suit your particular goals, interests and strengths.

Bachelor of Science: preparation for technical careers in industry and research centers and for graduate studies.

Bachelor of Science Honors: preparation for careers in research and for doctoral studies in physics.

Bachelor of Arts: preparation for careers in applied (engineering) physics, computer science, education, medicine, law, technical sales, scientific journalism or other fields where analytic skills and broad understanding of physics are important. Students majoring in Engineering or in Computer and Information Science (CIM and CIS calculus based; physics option) can earn the B.A. in Physics as an additional degree with a modest increase in course requirements.

Physics Minor: provides students majoring in other technical fields with additional skills, thus broadening their career options.

Cumulative grade-point average, upon graduation, of 3.20 or higher in PHY and MTH courses. A student who does not achieve this, but meets all the requirements for the B.S. degree in Physics, will receive that degree instead.

Cumulative grade-point average, upon graduation, of 3.20 or higher in PHY and MTH courses. A student who does not achieve this, but meets all the requirements for the B.S. degree in Physics, will receive that degree instead.

16 upper-division credits in a coherent program from a different discipline such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, environmental science, education or engineering. Program must be approved by the Physics Department adviser.

4 of the 32 credit hours (16 cr physics electives + 16 cr different discipline) have to be a 300 or 400 level lab course, approved by the Physics Department adviser.

Secondary Teacher Licensure

Students have the option of a single field licensure in physics, a dual field licensure in physical science and chemistry, or an integrated science licensure with a concentration in physics. All licensure programs require coursework from the College of Sciences and Health Professions and the College of Education and Human Services. Contact the Physics adviser for required science courses. Contact the Education Student Service Center for the education courses required for licensure or for information on the requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher Licensure (216-687-4625 or Rhodes Tower 1401).